On October 1, 2025, the very first day of the Month of the Holy Rosary, the church was filled with parishioners united in prayer, rejoicing in hope renewed. That evening, the atmosphere at Cijantung Parish Church was deeply reverent. From 13 pastoral areas, 13 representatives of the Catholic Youth (OMK) came forward, representing 46 neighborhood communities. With steady steps and hearts lifted in prayer, they approached one by one. From the hands of the parish priest, Rev. Robertus Ndajang, CSsR, they reverently received the Icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help—a sign of God’s love that would become their companion in prayer.
The Icon of Mary would not remain still in the church. It would “journey” with the young people—brought to every pastoral area, visiting house after house within the neighborhood communities. There, the Holy Rosary would be prayed. Each bead of prayer would bind the hearts of the faithful, especially the youth, more closely to Mary, the faithful Mother.
Each time the Icon is received, the young people explain the meaning of its symbols. More than that, they open space for dialogue—sharing about their lives, their struggles, and their desire to be more present and active in the life of the Church and in society. The Icon becomes both a window of prayer and a doorway to dialogue.
In his homily, Fr. Roby addressed the young people with great zeal. He invited them to learn from the Blessed Virgin Mary and from St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the patroness of missions. With warmth he said, “Pray with the heart of a child. Prayer is simple. Follow the example of St. Thérèse—love in little things, be faithful in daily tasks, and do everything with love. You, young people who lead prayer, are doing something extraordinary. Be faithful. Give your time to the Lord.”
He went on to affirm that the youth are truly Missionaries of Hope as he said, “To be a missionary is not first about going far away but about having a heart willing to give itself in service. Bring hope to your neighborhoods, your communities, and every place where you live and work. Let God’s love work through you, so that from small acts great works may be born.”
These words struck deeply. Many of the young people were visibly moved. One of them spontaneously said, “Pray for us, Father, that this movement may truly inspire and strengthen us, the Catholic Youth of Cijantung.”
The journey of this Icon is not a mere ritual. It is a sign of mission. It is a movement calling young people to take an active part in the life of the Church—through prayer, in liturgical service, and in works of charity and justice.
Yes, young people need to be accompanied. They need those who are willing to walk with them—not only to give advice, but to be present with them in the realities of their lives, in both joys and struggles.
And in the end, the message that binds all hearts together is this: Young people are not a problem. Young people are the solution. Young people are Missionaries of Hope.
Let us walk with them, embrace them, and give them room to grow. For in the hands and hearts of the young, the present and the future of the Church and the world are entrusted.
Fr. Willy Ng Pala, CSsR.
